GI Patient Assessment & Documentation 3

Question 1

Which assessment finding requires the nurse to immediately report to the physician when caring for a patient with cirrhosis?

Accepted Answer

Asterixis (flapping tremor) of the hands

Answer

Asterixis is a sign of hepatic encephalopathy indicating significant liver failure and ammonia toxicity, requiring immediate intervention.

Question 2

When assessing a patient for ascites, the nurse percusses dullness that shifts when the patient rolls to the side. This technique is called:

Accepted Answer

Shifting dullness

Answer

Shifting dullness is the percussion technique where dullness moves to the dependent side as the patient repositions, indicating free fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

Question 3

A patient with Crohn's disease reports steatorrhea. Which documentation accurately describes this symptom?

Accepted Answer

Greasy, foul-smelling stools that float

Answer

Steatorrhea describes fat malabsorption resulting in greasy, foul-smelling, floating stools, common in Crohn's disease affecting the small bowel.

Question 4

The nurse is completing a GI history. Which question best elicits information about dysphagia?

Accepted Answer

'Do you have difficulty initiating a swallow or does food get stuck?'

Answer

Asking whether difficulty initiating swallowing or food getting stuck helps differentiate oropharyngeal dysphagia from esophageal dysphagia.

Question 5

When documenting a patient's abdominal assessment, the nurse should record bowel sounds in which sequence?

Accepted Answer

Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate

Answer

The abdomen is assessed in the order: inspect, auscultate, percuss, then palpate — auscultation before palpation prevents altering bowel sounds.

(GI) Gastrointestinal Practice Test

(GI) Gastrointestinal Practice Test

GI Patient Assessment & Documentation 3